Living Dead Girl

Living Dead Girl by: Elizabeth Scott

Rated: 4/5 Stars

Overview:

This is Alice

She was taken by Ray five years ago

She thought she knew how her story would end

She was wrong

My Review: There were many emotions running through my head when I finished this book, sadness, terror, disgust, anger, confusion, devastation. There were many elements that made this story a good read. The main character was very believable. Her heart break was mine. The story revolves around this girl who was kidnapped by an older man, he has sexually abused her and physically abused her, meanwhile she is trying to cope with this and try to stay alive. The whole story was partly disturbing, and partly horrifyingly beautiful. No one can ignore the fact that this could truly happen to them. It leads both the main character and yourself to thoughts if "If only I had's" and "Why me? Why not her?" It is a tale of desperation to be free, and becoming a woman. The way the story was written was raw and poetic, I could feel the pain escaping from the words, and the character, I could feel her pain, and rooting for her to get loose from this horrid man.

Overall, I thought the story was fantastic, although it was a little disturbing at times, it was beautifully written and the characters were well developed, although most were a little odd. I gave it four stars because of the writing and characters, although not so much for the plot, it left me unsatisfied in the end. Although I do see why she choose that ending, it was perfect in its own way. I would recommend this book for ages 15 and up. It probably wouldn't sit well for a younger audience. Great book!

Revolution

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Rated: 3/5 Stars


Overview:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken for the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on Paris’s stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her a tragic role she didn’t want- and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journals antique pages- until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris. Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

My Review:

~SPOILER! SKIP TO LAST PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON’T WANT THE WHOLE BOOK TO BE SPOILED FOR YOU~

Out of the few books I have read this year, this one has by far been one of the most unique storylines I have read. It takes a lot of courage and hard work to write about history, especially when you have to connect it back to current times. Donnelly didn’t do a bad job at it. Her facts were right, time period correct with the things she described. Although toying with history in a fictional book can be somewhat risky, Donnelly pulled it off, so kudos to her.

What pulled me in right away was the way Donelly characterized Andi’s character. She had a strong voice, at times very funny, and had many flaws and she was in pain. And any character that has conflict and a strong voice, is worth rutting for. It was interesting to learn her history as well as Alex’s. I have read and seen many things on the French Revolution, as I imagine many people have, but this was a new take on the subject, it made you feel like you were suffering right there, along with Alex. The diary entrée’s were a great addition, although at times I was confused as to what year they were talking about. The entrée’s are dated in 1795, but at times in the entrée’s she mentions the date which is 1791 or 1792, sometimes it was hard to tell what point of view she was writing from, past of present. It did not take so much from the story though.

I also fell in love with Virgil, as Andi did. He was a very likable character, and an enjoyment to read, I found myself giggling as Andi was at times about him. I thought that Donnelly answered some of the unanswered questions in the end, although I still had some I am still unsure about.

The major problem I had with the book was near the end. When Donnelly incorporated the time traveling, I found myself thinking, “Hu? What? Why? What’s the point?” And honestly those questions were never answered. I thought that whole section was unnecessary to the plot. The only thing Andi accomplished was figuring out more about her project subject, Amade. And setting off fire works for Louis-Charles. I thought it was pointless, and at one point I skipped three pages because of the lack of interest. It made the story a drag, and I thought skidded away from the main point of the story. It was a tale about Alex and the small king, not Andi and the small king. Giving the Ipod to Amade, was stupid on her part, Donnelly didn’t consider that it could possibly change the future. And her complaining almost drove me insane; it was like she had completely lost her character’s voice. At the end of the ‘dream’ she wakes up and we are left with our own interpretation of if the whole scenario, was it dream or reality? Overall I thought that scene was irrelevant and no use to the plot flow, it ruined a huge part of my liking the book.

Another question I had was about the key that Truman found. I understand its significance. Although it was hard for me to understand how it fit into the guitar case lock. And why it was so important to Truman. These questions were never answered. And where in hell did the father at the end get his other child? I wasn’t aware he had another wife or girlfriend, that part was also unexplained.

~END OF SPOILERS~

Looking at the book as a whole, I gave it three stars because of the unnecessary sections, and unanswered questions. I loved the beginning and most of the middle, although the end was flawed. I gave it that extra star because I love the main character and her friends. I would recommend this book to you, but proceed with caution. ☺